World Menopause Day: A Case study from Baxter Healthcare
ABHI member, Baxter Healthcare, have put together a menopause framework for staff, supported by specific training to aid all colleagues. In this Q&A to coincide with World Menopause Day, we spoke to Baxter’s Senior HR Director for Medication Delivery & Acute Therapies Western Europe, Mark McGuire, on the impact this support package is having for staff.
Tell us about the framework you have put in place for staff, and how do you plan to take this forward?
MG: “The framework we have put in place is very much designed to inform anyone going through the menopause, what they can expect from the company in terms of support available, both internally, through guidance and education to all staff, and externally, through our employee assistance programme and wellbeing portal.
We have tried to ensure that we achieve the correct levels of support by co-creating the framework with the Alliance for Baxter Women which is an employee resource group within the company. Additionally, we are working with an organisation called Henpicked to look to achieve accreditation as a Menopause Friendly employer. This organisation audits our practices and ensures we keep this topic at the front of people’s minds through education and awareness raising sessions such as coffee chats. I would also recommend the Henpicked website for some great content and resources on this topic.”
Many can find menopause a tricky subject to talk about, particularly with employers. How are you supporting staff so that they feel comfortable to talk about it?
MG: “The coffee chats conducted by the Alliance for Baxter Women was, and is, a great vehicle to get started. They have been really helpful in identifying that this was an important topic that was, until very recently, going under the radar, and this empowered those suffering to speak up and seek support.
We found that male line managers also joined the coffee chats to learn more which helped them not only to support their team and colleagues at work, but also family members. For Baxter, we just removed the taboo with these chats, which was then supported by the framework, and by providing links and educational content that people could access as and when they needed it.”
Have you found the response to your framework has been welcomed by staff?
MG: “This has been very well received by our staff. Take our coffee chats for example, where we would typically expect around 30 to 50 people joining. On the topic of menopause, we have been getting 70+ people. Not only does it talk to how relevant this is, but it has definitely been well received by all and we have received very positive feedback about how these sessions have helped.”
There are many smaller companies within the industry who may be starting to think about how they can support their staff with the menopause. What top tip could you suggest to help get some of those companies started on this journey?
MG: “Use agile practices. Co-create with others in the business, as this really is not just a HR thing. Additionally, start small and build up in incremental steps. Seek external support and guidance. There is some great content on YouTube from The British Menopause Society.”
Finally, thinking of the framework and training that Baxter has put in place for the menopause, are you now looking at any other common life events that would benefit from a similar framework of support?
MG: “We are constantly looking to improve our policies and frameworks. The clear issue at the moment is the financial wellbeing of staff, and we will be looking at how we can provide further education and support around this topic. This work has started and is ongoing.”
Mark McGuire, Senior HR Director for Medication Delivery & Acute Therapies Western Europe, Baxter